Crack Propagation Analysis of New Galata Bridge

Abstract

The New Galata Bridge links the two sides of the entrance of the Golden Horn and as a bascule-type bridge, the bridge has four wings, each having a span of 42 meters. The bridge has replaced the Galata Bridge which gave service from 1912 to 1985. After the new bridge has begun to give service, serious cracks located in steel stringers underneath the road surface and near the counterweight blocks were observed during maintenance. As a result, modifications around this area were made. Three dimensional finite element models of the third wing and cracked locations were prepared. Crack analyses were conducted around these points. Based on results, comments were provided.